Chapter 401: What's Your Plan for the Change?
The dinner table was filled with laughter as Charles and Aelisha reminisced about teachers and classmates, keeping the conversation light and cheerful.
After the meal, Charles politely saw Aelisha and Aunt Lina to the car, giving Laurent instructions to escort them home.
Western social interactions aren't particularly complicated—there's a routine to it, almost scripted by now. This likely applied only to common folk, as Charles had heard that upper society relationships could be much more intricate, involving a kind of "everyone-for-themselves" or even "mass celebrations."
Returning to his room, Camille quickly discarded her plate and emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands while asking Charles, her eyes full of expectation: "So, what do you think?"
"What do you mean?" Charles played dumb.
"Come on, you're eighteen now," Camille said. "It's time to get a girlfriend, and you're busy saving the world in the army..."
Charles rolled his eyes. "Saving the world" was a modern-day insult, after all.
Although, what Charles was doing could indeed be described as "saving the world."
"Aelisha is a good girl," Camille insisted, pulling Charles to sit at the table. "She's joined the Communications Corps—she's part of the military, fighting for France just like you."
"The Communications Corps?" Charles had never heard of that before.
"Yes," Camille answered, though she didn't know much about it herself. She unconsciously looked toward Deyoka for clarification.
Deyoka chimed in, "It started three months ago. The military began recruiting women for communications tasks. They mainly deliver messages or documents by motorcycle, operating in rear areas where it's safe."
Charles understood. This was a result of manpower shortages—women were replacing men in tasks like farming, working in munitions factories, and even filling roles as police or politicians. Essentially, men were sent to the front lines, and women were left to handle everything else in the rear.
It was also an opportunity to elevate the social status of women.
Camille leaned in closer, continuing her push: "She's also an admirer of yours, Charles. Her father is a soldier, a serving major. I think you two would have a lot in common…"
"Mom," Charles interrupted, "we're not really a match. She seems too young."
Camille looked at him in surprise. "But she's your classmate, Charles. You're the same age!"
Deyoka, however, gave a subtle nod of understanding.
It wasn't about age. Charles's understanding of the world had far surpassed that of someone his age, and he found conversations with peers rather childish.
Deyoka spoke up, "What Charles might need is a girlfriend who can talk to him about war, inventions, or making money."
Camille shot Deyoka a sharp look. "Do you think there's a woman like that? Someone as exceptional as Charles?"
Deyoka responded calmly, "I'm not sure, but I don't think it would be someone like Aelisha."
Camille set her jaw, her voice tinged with frustration: "Then tell me, what kind of woman should it be?"
"I've already said it." Deyoka shrugged. "It takes fate, Camille. I believe there will be someone like that eventually…"
Charles, seizing the opportunity, stood up. "Once you've figured it out, let me know. I'm a little tired."
With that, he hurriedly dashed up the stairs to his room, leaving Camille and Deyoka staring after him in the living room.
It had been a long time since Charles had woken up in his own room without being roused by an alarm. He pulled the covers off and stretched, only to look out the window and realize it was already well past noon. Startled, he cursed, "Damn it, I overslept!"
He quickly threw on his military uniform, rushed downstairs, and grabbed a piece of bread from the table before heading out the door.
Camille seemed to have already been preparing lunch. She called after him from behind, "Where are you going, Charles?"
"To the tractor factory!" Charles responded without looking back, waving his hand behind him.
It was only a few hundred meters, so Charles couldn't be bothered to call Laurent for a ride. He simply decided to walk—or rather, jog.
As he made his way through the neighborhood, his neighbors cheerfully waved at him.
Aunt Elisa called out, "Want a croissant, Charles?"
"No thanks." Charles waved the bread in his hand. "Thanks, Aunt Elisa."
Aunt Carla leaned out from the pizza shop, shouting, "Slow down, kid. Is there a country waiting for you to save it?"
Charles, chewing the bread, couldn't respond, so he just half-turned and waved in acknowledgment.
His guards appeared on both sides, at first just two, but then more and more appeared, all carrying rifles as though heading to the battlefield.
A captain stepped forward, nervously asking, "What's going on, Major? Do you need me to notify anyone?"
"No, it's fine," Charles said, a bit exasperated. He felt as though he was being watched constantly. "Return to your posts."
"Yes, Major," the guards dispersed under the captain's orders.
A few minutes later, Charles rushed into Deyoka's office, asking, "Father, where's the 'Saint Chamond'?"
"'Saint Chamond'?" Deyoka thought for a moment. "It's in the warehouse, from when it was shipped over from Paris."
It had been delivered by rail, with direct access to the tractor factory warehouse.
Charles checked his pocket watch—11:00 AM. He still had over four hours before he had to report back to camp. There was no time to waste.
"Who's in charge of the tractor factory research facility, Father?" Charles asked.
"It's been Joseph," Deyoka replied, then asked, "Why?"
Joseph was Matthew's father. He didn't know much about equipment; he was more involved with logistics and coordination.
"What about the design?" Charles asked again.
"Matthew," Deyoka answered. "He and Colonel Estini are working together. They often discuss ideas. I hear they're thinking about designing a new type of tank."
Estini and Matthew made a perfect team—Estini had expertise in military tactics and battlefield experience, while Matthew excelled in mechanical engineering, making them an ideal pair for designing a new tank.
But that wasn't Charles's concern right now.
"Tell Matthew to come see me," Charles instructed. "I'll be waiting for him in the warehouse."
In the tractor factory's third warehouse, the lights flickered on to reveal three 'Saint Chamonds.' Charles walked around one, occasionally measuring its dimensions with his hands.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed in the doorway. Matthew stood there with a smile, looking at Charles. "Long time no see. Looks like you've made major now."
"How's everything?" Charles glanced at Matthew. He had grown a beard, which made him appear more mature. His face had thinned out a little, but his eyes were still sharp.
Matthew shrugged, grinning. "Can't you tell?"
With that, Matthew pulled a chair over, sat down with one leg crossed, and turned his gaze to the 'Saint Chamond.' "So, what's your plan for changing it?"
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